Wayne Matthews

(From Lawson's Funeral Homes)

Wayne Matthews went home to be with his heavenly Father on January 19, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Wayne Ray Matthews was born to Robert E Matthews & Dorsie B Baldwin on June 12, 1946, in Kansas City, Mo.

He was a 1964 graduate of Jay High School. After high school, he worked for Tom Carroll at Jay & Vinita sale barns. He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and spent tours in Korea, during the Pueblo Crisis, in Germany, and in Vietnam after the Tet Offensive. He was proud to serve his country and would often tell stories of his time in the military.

He met the love of his life after he came home in 1970. In June of 1971, he and Ruth Styles were married. They made their home in Jay, OK. where they raised their three children. Wayne was happiest when he was surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He made sure every one of them knew they were loved and was ready to brag on any of his kids at a moments notice to anyone willing to listen.

Wayne worked as quality control management at mobile home manufacturing plants in Jay, OK, Noel, MO, and Pineville, MO. His dream job was to be a rural mail carrier. In 1989, he was hired at the Jay post office as a sub on route 1. He took over that route after the regular carrier retried and carried the mail for 20 years. He enjoyed visiting with his patrons while out on his route.

His favorite hobby was making wooden cars and giving them away to Boys & Girls Club, DHS, Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, and his grandchildren. Wayne took pride in serving his church family at Zena Baptist Church. He was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents Robert (Bob) and Dorsie Matthews.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years 6 months Ruth; son Shayne and wife Amanda; daughters, Sandra Coleman and husband Jason, and Rebecca Hern and husband Dusty; Nine grandchildren Molly Jeffers, McKayla Helt, Megan Matthews, Amelia Wyatt, Emma Wadley, Maggie Wadley, Dyllen Hern, Layne Matthews, and Sydney Hern; Six great-grandchildren; One brother Jerry Matthews and wife Julie; Many other family and friends.

Wayne’s Celebration Of Life Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Zena Baptist Church, 36187 S 575 Rd. (Zena) Jay, OK., with Pastor Rick Thomas and Pastor Wayne Wall officiating. Wayne’s service will conclude at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests sending bibles through the Gideons.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lawson’s Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 722 N. 46th St., Grove, OK 74344 with Shaunda J. Lawson, 3rd Generation Owner/Funeral Director and Staff.